Development and sale of i3D testing systems and laboratory services for local mechanical material testing by indentation method
Imprintec GmbH
BochumNew on Amplifa
About Imprintec
Imprintec GmbH, based in Bochum, develops and sells i3D testing systems for local mechanical material testing based on the principle of Indentation Plastometry (indentation method according to DIN SPEC 4864 and ASTM E3499). From a force-controlled indentation test, the three-dimensional geometry of the impression (white-light interferometry) and an inverse FEM evaluation, the local yield strength Rp0.2, tensile strength Rm and plastic stress-strain curves are determined directly on real components, critical zones and small specimens. The portfolio ranges from the compact entry-level device (i3D WLI Eco) through combined hardness and indentation testing systems (i3D mBV, i3D BVR) to robot-assisted inline testing (i3D Inline, i3D FAMIC). In addition, Imprintec operates its own materials testing laboratory with i3D indentation testing, hardness testing according to DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508, specimen preparation, optical 3D topography, mapping analyses and measurement reports. The company emerged from materials science research and serves industries such as automotive, aerospace, defence, additive manufacturing, medical technology, energy and research.
- Site
- Bochum
- Processes
- i3D® indentation testing (Indentation Plastometry) – local yield strength Rp0.2, tensile strength, Hardness testing (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell/Knoop) according to DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508, Optical 3D topography (white-light interferometry) – indentation geometry, topography, roughness and, Specimen preparation – cutting, mounting, grinding and polishing, Evaluation & report – measurement protocol, characteristic value tables, diagrams, technical, Mapping / spatially resolved multi-point analyses (grid, line, heatmaps) along weld seam, HAZ and, i3D® indentation testing (Indentation Plastometry), Hardness testing (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell)
- Materials
- Metallic materials (plastically deformable, with material pile-up at the indentation), Scalmalloy® (LPBF-manufactured, 12-specimen example), High-strength steel / high-carbon steel (PWAAM publication), Cast steel / lamellar graphite cast materials (cited as unsuitable), Metallic materials (plastically deformable, with material pile-up), Scalmalloy (LPBF-manufactured), High-strength / high-carbon steel
- Certificates
- DIN SPEC 4864 (indentation method), ASTM E3499-25, DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508 (hardness testing)
- Founded
- 2017
- Industries
- Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Additive Manufacturing, Marine, Medical Technology
- 01
Test order clarification and feasibility check
- 02
Specimen preparation (cutting, mounting, grinding, polishing)
- 03
i3D indentation testing or hardness testing
- 04
Optical 3D measurement (white-light interferometry)
- 05
Inverse FEM evaluation
- 06
Measurement report with characteristic values and technical assessment
- 07
Development and sale of testing equipment for series and inline applications
Materials and Testing Methods
Metallic materials (plastically deformable, with material pile-up)
Basic prerequisite for the indentation method according to DIN SPEC 4864.
Scalmalloy (LPBF-manufactured)
Example material for multisample screening of additively manufactured aluminium alloys.
High-strength / high-carbon steel
Subject of publications on the PWAAM process.
Locations
Bochum
DEHeadquarters, materials testing laboratory and equipment development
- Materials
- Metallic materials
- i3D WLI Pro
- i3D WLI Eco
- i3D mBV
- i3D BVR
- i3D FAMIC
- i3D Inline
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i3D® indentation testing (Indentation Plastometry) – local yield strength Rp0.2, tensile strengthTesting | – | – | – | – | metallic materials (plastically deformable) |
| Hardness testing (Vickers, Brinell, Rockwell/Knoop) according to DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508Testing | – | – | – | – | metals |
| Optical 3D topography (white-light interferometry) – indentation geometry, topography, roughness andTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Specimen preparation – cutting, mounting, grinding and polishingTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Evaluation & report – measurement protocol, characteristic value tables, diagrams, technicalTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Mapping / spatially resolved multi-point analyses (grid, line, heatmaps) along weld seam, HAZ andTesting | – | – | – | – | metals |
6 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i3D® WLI Pro – automated materials testing system (indentation method according to DIN SPEC 4864, | Imprintec i3D® WLI Pro | – | – | – | Bochum (manufacturer site) |
| i3D® WLI Eco – compact semi-automatic materials testing system (optional WLI, optional Superspeed) | Imprintec i3D® WLI Eco | – | – | – | – |
| i3D® mBV – combined hardness and i3D® testing system (0.05–62.5 kgf, 6-position turret, up to 8 | Imprintec i3D® mBV | – | – | – | – |
| i3D® BVR – automated test series platform with integrated hardness testing 0.2–3000 kgf, | Imprintec i3D® BVR | – | – | – | – |
| i3D® FAMIC – scalable test cell / automation architecture | Imprintec i3D® FAMIC | – | – | – | – |
| i3D® Inline – process-near, robot-assisted testing module (integration with six-axis robot, project | Imprintec i3D® Inline | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Standards
The i3D indentation test follows the simplified workflow according to DIN SPEC 4864; hardness testing is performed according to DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508. Measurement results are documented with a measurement protocol, characteristic value tables and diagrams and prepared for FEM and QA applications.
| Evidence | Bochum |
|---|---|
| DIN SPEC 4864 (indentation method) | |
| ASTM E3499-25 | |
| DIN EN ISO 6506/6507/6508 (hardness testing) |
History
- 2012–2016
Research work by the later founders
- 2017
Founding of Imprintec GmbH
- 2018
Market launch of first products
- 2019
Standardization of the indentation method in DIN SPEC 4864
- 2022
Portfolio expansion with i3D mBV and i3D BVR
- 2024
Start of international standardization activities in the ASTM environment